Western United extends global reach with Walking Football

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Image credit: Western United website

Western United has collaborated with Walking Football 4 Health Global and Balestier Khalsa Football Club in Singapore, aiming to spread the love of football across the globe.

This marks Western United’s first venture into the realm of walking football, a rapidly growing sector of the sport that is inclusive of all participants.

As part of this partnership, Western United will participate in a tournament at the Walking Football 4 Health Global headquarters in Singapore, furthering the Club’s commitment to making football accessible to everyone around the world.

Western United General Manager of Community Development & Partnerships Aylin Bagdadi explained how beneficial this deal will be with connecting the club’s brand to an international audience.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to grow the Western United brand and we are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of Walking Football 4 Health and Balestier Khalsa Football Club,” Bagdadi said in a club statement.

“More importantly, a key part of our mission at this Club has always been to increase opportunities for everyone to become involved in football, and this is a fantastic step in continuing to pursue that vision.

“Walking football is such a great way to get involved in our great game, and we are excited to link further with local and global organisations in this space.”

What is Walking Football?

Walking football is particularly well-suited for individuals recovering from illness or medical events, retired players, or those new to the sport.

This low-intensity format features small-sided teams playing on a modified pitch with shorter game times, blending all the enjoyable aspects of football without the high physical demands.

Running, physical contact, and heading the ball are prohibited, and the ball must remain below hip-height throughout the game.

After the recent Teqball partnership, this unique collaboration is an example of Western United remaining committed to promoting awareness and participation in all forms of football worldwide.

It also highlights Western United’s business strategy before the new season, where the club seems dedicated to broadening its own brand and reach both locally and internationally.

This deal will look to expand opportunities to get involved in football within the local community in the west of Victoria.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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